The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1887-07-28
Fl'oBTING THEM OVER
What Our Veterans Have TO Say About
Their Old Campaigns.
FORT DoNELsoN.
Some ReeOilectiOns Of the First Great Victory OF
the War.


The regiment to which belonged was a part
of Gen. C. f. Smiths First Brigade, consisting
of the 9Th, 10Th and Alst ILL.,. commanded by
Col. John Macarthur, Of the 10Th III 1t was
organized az Paducah, Ky.
Our brigade marched across the, country
from Fort Henry, and arrived in front OF Fort
DonelsOn on the evening Of Feb - and was
halted on the Fort Henry road. Gen Grant
aud staff were here waiting TO see the troops
go into position. 1t was just at the time that
Col. w. r. Morrison and Col. Haynie made the
assault on the rebel batteries and suffered SO
severely Col John Cook, of the 9TH ILL.,, rode
M TO Gen. Grant explained the situation and
was anxious for a charge, but Gen. Grant said,
"Close in on them gradually and save all the
men you can"
We were soon ordered to the right and halted
In the timber. Being anxious to see the rebel
works, quite a number of us left the line and
climbed over fence into an open field, officers
and men, TO view the rebel works. Several
of the boys climbed into the blackjack trees
TO see over. We had only been there short
time when rebel battery opened on us ana
threw solid shot over our heads. Some Of
those i'm the trees let 60 and dropped, while
we climbed the fence. Just as the second shot
struck where we had been standing proceeded
70 find hall No. i. 10 had gone through two
blackjack trees and fallen TO the ground.
picked il up and took ii to Col. j. C. Pugh,
thinking j had great trophy-the first shot
fired at the 4lst III. lie gave us a scoiding for
leaving the line and j dropped the cannon
ball and assumed my place in good order.
We were moved still farther 10 the right, and
that night it rained and showed and turned
cold. We were called up in arms every little
while so we got bus little sleep. j must not
forget TO tell of our first sight Of The wounded
from Col Morrison's charge on the batteries.
They had brought them down 70 the rear on
stretchors, aud as we passed by the blood was
running down from the cots into the white
snow. Our boys marched by in silence, little
dreaming what sights yet awaited us at Fort
Donelson.
The next day we skirmished with the rebel
picket-lines and just before night we were
again moved to the extreme right, near the
Backwater of the Cumberland River where we
were ordered TO build no fires. Our ratiOns
were all gone, and remember of getting some
popcorn out of an old house and a skillet to
pop il in. This was all we had for supper.
divided part of mine with old Col Pugh, and
this was all he had 10 eat that night. We slept
under one blanket with snow on us TO help
keep out the cold.
Early on the morning of the 18th we were
aroused by our piczets firing and the shrill voice
OF Col. Pugh ordering Us TO fall in. We were
soon in line and the Colonel ordered charge,
which we executed for some distance and fired
q vOlley into the rebel advance, which checked
and greatly confused them. They were en-
10000 strong or more; they soon rallied and
again came at us. Gen. 0glesby, seeing the
4lst standing out i'm an open field, ordered the
regiment TO the right and we had just moved
the length of one company when we were fired
into by the rebel battte-line and from five to
six out of each company were shot down in the
field. i can yet see that line OF bluecoats as
they lay IN the snow when we were ordered
back to the timber to protect ourselves.
This opened the battle on the morning Of the
18th, and the whole line was soon engaged. On
the right were the 10Th and 9th H., of our bril-
gade, and the sth, 18TH 29th, 30th aud 3lst ILL.,,
with Schwartz's and Dresses batteries. Tay-
lors and MeAllisters batteries were soon en-
gagged. and right nobly did they fight, but the
overwhelming numbers OF the C0nfederates
under Gems. Pillow, Floyd and BuckneT forced
us back, bat not until our ammunition was gone
and many brave Illinois boy had given up
his life. il will he remembered that up 10 D.
IN. the struggle was with Illinois troops almost
exclusively.
The tide OF battle was raging incessantly
ms inch by inch the gallant troops under Nc
Arthur, Oglesby Smith and McClenaud were
driven back, when Gen. Grant, who had gone
10 see Commodore FOOte on the river below, ar
rived, aud learning the disaster to the right
wing Immediately ordered Gen. Lew Wallace
with the Sth Mo-, llth and Goth Ohio, TO regain
the lost ground, and right nobly did they do il
With mighty shout they assailed the rebe
column, who had stopped in the valley below
and drove them back into their works with
great loss OF men, artillery and small-arms.
IL has always been mystery 10 me why thi
rebel army under Gen, Buckner did not leay,
and strike out for Nashville for there was quit
a long time that the road was clear alter tn
troops of Macarthur, Oglesby and McClernan,
were driven back OF the road, but they stoppe,
and parleyed until the arrival Of Gems. Gran
and Wallace with the troops of the center whel
they were driven back into their works
asked Gen. McClernand for a solution of thi
question, aud he said he knew no reason VIII
they did not escape, except that he had poste
two companies OF the I'd III. Cav on the rOa
away 10 the right, aud ordered them TO repoI
any reinioTcements OF flank movement. III
thinks the rebels may have seen these troops
aud surprising they were still inside OF TIA
Union lines, hestated to attack the second lin
when they could have swept them away an
passed on TO Nashville But Gen. Grant seize
the golden moment aud ordered the assault
which drove them back into the works
The left, under Gen. Smith had charged I'll
works and bad possession of them. The strul
gle had been a fearful one aud our loss wa
severe. My regiment had lost nearly 200
killed and wounded, and the 9th III. Just O
our left had suffered severely Ii was on tn
battlefield that first saw the gallant Gen. job
A. Logan, who was shot In the left shoude
and with his coat covered with blood lac ROD
through the battle-line cheering on his reg
mont, the 3lst Ill., and refused TO leave Il
field TO haye his wounds dressed until Il
contest was ended for the day.
The lines were drawn closely around the 70
tifcatons and all was made ready TO assault Il
nextday, when Gen. Buclzner sent word for tin
60 have commissioners appointed TO arran
terms OF surrender Gen. Grant then said not
ing but an unconditional surrender would d
and propose TO move Immediately upon yo
works" This brought Buckner TO terms, a
soon the white flag was seen floating over I
works and Doneison, with $4,000 prisoners al
q vast quantity Of war material, was ours
was the first great victory of the war and Sc
thrill Of JOY through the hearts of the low
OF the Union. Then came our Northern frieu
and the War Governors TO see that I
wounded were cared for. Many of the dc
soldiers were taken home for burial in
cemeteries Of the North. There were 10 /
nois regiments of infantry besides the batter
Of artillery and cavalry, engaged in this STR
gle, and il was here that many soldier
ceivcd his first lesson i'm war that led TO
great triumph of our arms IN the West-E
LEE, Secretary, 4lst III. Association, &c
GOrdo, IA.
Capt. HObart's Pluck.
EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUHE: w. T. Shic
wants 10 know the name Of the brave Capt
who was killed al Point of Rocks, on the Po
mac. IL was Capt Edward Hobart lie raj
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